Balkan Holidays

[LBAYORKIE]

Just hope this doesn't turn into a boj job!!!!

I agree it does possibly give both operators a chance to increase their offerings so let's hope additional frequencies do materialise

I assume that Balkan bookings must have been low, and presumably the same for Jet2 on this route. If they had been healthy Jet2 wouldnt have sold seats to a competitor.

 

[Finger66]

I assume that Balkan bookings must have been low, and presumably the same for Jet2 on this route. If they had been healthy Jet2 wouldnt have sold seats to a competitor.

I am not sure on low volumes for Jet2 as we know they are happy with high yields at LBA without LBA flights often being full, so suspect this is no more than a top up arrangement, albeit also giving them a safety net, for the route

 

[CM.]

I assume that Balkan bookings must have been low, and presumably the same for Jet2 on this route. If they had been healthy Jet2 wouldnt have sold seats to a competitor.

The BOJ flights are generally quite busy. The challenge this summer is having aircraft available to operate any additional flights Jet2 may want to add as I’m told that they’re actually short of aircraft for their flying program due to airbus delivery delays (the reason they’re basing an A330 at BHX this summer as an example)

 

[Statto]

Jet2 as we know they are happy with high yields at LBA without LBA flights often being full

Jet2 load factor is about 90% across the network, so very unlikely that LBA would be much below that.

 

[LBAYORKIE]

Jet2 load factor is about 90% across the network, so very unlikely that LBA would be much below that.

So that means Jet2 should, in theory, have approx 20 seats per aircraft available for the Balkan bookings. I cant imagine Balkans bookings are that bad.

 

[Aviador]

So that means Jet2 should, in theory, have approx 20 seats per aircraft available for the Balkan bookings. I cant imagine Balkans bookings are that bad.

Since Covid people have changed their booking habits and they are leaving booking until last minute. Flights might still be going out full but sharing the burden of risk can be an advantage for both parties.

 

[Finger66]

Have now ceased trading in the UK. You only need to look at their website for confirmation.

The writing clearly was on the wall when not chartering their own aircraft

 

[White Heather]

Have now ceased trading in the UK. You only need to look at their website for confirmation.

The writing clearly was on the wall when not chartering their own aircraft

One less for DSA!

 

[northsouth]

And MME , HUY Jet2 should hopefully pick up some of the displaced buisness

Passengers

 

[HX3]

A shame for anyone employed by them, let’s hope they find alternative roles. For those who will need to request refunds from the administrators, I hope it ends well and doesn’t take an age to sort.

 

[White Heather]

A shame for anyone employed by them, let’s hope they find alternative roles. For those who will need to request refunds from the administrators, I hope it ends well and doesn’t take an age to sort.

They say they are solvent. Just stopped trading in the UK. So why would there be administrators?

 

[Aviador]

I don't know about administration but the company has said there will likely be job losses.

 

[HX3]

They say they are solvent. Just stopped trading in the UK. So why would there be administrators?

White Heather, whilst English is not my first language the word administrator is
a person responsible for carrying out the administration of a business or organisation/ a person who dispenses or administers something. So whilst not insolvent, the refund will still be administered by the finance department.

Anyway, the word really isn’t important when people have potentially lost their livelihood. We should be displaying sympathy to those impacted.

 

[White Heather]

White Heather, whilst English is not my first language the word administrator is
a person responsible for carrying out the administration of a business or organisation/ a person who dispenses or administers something. So whilst not insolvent, the refund will still be administered by the finance department.

Anyway, the word really isn’t important when people have potentially lost their livelihood. We should be displaying sympathy to those impacted.

Administrators, in this sort of case, are companies appointed to handle the financial affairs of a bankrupt company. They pay their debts and if money is available, pay refunds. As Balkan say they are solvent, it should be dealt with in house rather than by a specialist administrator company.

As for those who lose their jobs, I don't think anyone here is not sympathetic. Very much the opposite I imagine. This company have been in business for many years so it's tragic they are abandoning the UK market. However, at one time they pretty much had the Bulgarian market to themselves. Not any more. Jet2 operated more flights to Bourgas last summer than Balkan . They've been run out of the UK by UK operators muscling into their only market .

 

[HX3]

White Heather, it is your interpretation of the word. Had I mentioned administration, then what you’ve said is correct. Like I said English may not be my first language, but I do not need correcting on how I have used the word in the context of the sentence I used.

 

[White Heather]

White Heather, it is your interpretation of the word. Had I mentioned administration, then what you’ve said is correct. Like I said English may not be my first language, but I do not need correcting on how I have used the word in the context of the sentence I used.

I was trying to be helpful.

 

[Len Fish]

A solvent business cannot go into administration. As far as I can tell from a bit of internet research in this case the business has ceased trading voluntarily whilst being in a position to pay its creditors.
As an indication of the current trading conditions at its peak the company served 130,000 customers annually but this year holds an ATOL licence for only 27,800 passengers until March 2026.
According to the latest filed accounts 25 staff were employed and the job losses will sadly be 25 too many. These are tough times.

 

[oldendays]

I was trying to be helpful.

You were. FWIW I can see that.

 

[BCFC]

In a shock announcement, Balkan Holidays will cease trading after 60 years in business.

Customers that booked their trips directly through the company have been asked to contact them in regards to refunds, but those that have planned their trips through third parties must go through those companies instead.

The company was launched almost six decades ago, jetting Brits off to Bulgaria, Croatia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Malta and Northern Cyprus, and offered departures from 17 UK airports.

At its peak, it served 130,000 people a year, however, those numbers have dropped in recent years, as they were licensed to carry just 27,817 Atol-protected passengers in the year to the end of March 2026.

In a statement posted to social media, the travel company said: “We regret to inform you that Balkan Holidays Ltd has, as of 24th of April 2025, closed for business in the UK.

“The company has not gone into liquidation, however all forward holiday bookings have been cancelled.